Strong salmon run predicted for 2013

Monday

Apr 22, 2013 at 11:45 AMApr 23, 2013 at 11:33 AM

There was good news for salmon fishermen and anyone concerned about California salmon runs when the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted ocean and inland salmon season regulations for 2013 at its meeting last week in Santa Rosa.

John Bowman

There was good news for salmon fishermen and anyone concerned about California salmon runs when the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted ocean and inland salmon season regulations for 2013 at its meeting last week in Santa Rosa.

According to a press release from the commission, forecasts of abundant Sacramento River and Klamath River fall Chinook salmon allowed the FGC to adopt long seasons and liberal bag limits, though forecasts fall short of last year’s run.“California salmon fishermen have endured ‘boom and bust’ seasons over the past decade,” said FGC President Michael Sutton. “The commission is delighted that forecast salmon returns are high enough this year to justify greater catch limits.”

According to current ocean abundance estimates, the numbers of returning Sacramento River fall-run Chinook and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon will exceed conservation objectives, allowing for a strong allocation for fishermen. The Klamath River catch quota will be 40,006 fall-run Chinook greater than 22 inches. That’s down more than 27,000 from last year’s Klamath quota of 67,600 when the run was the highest since record keeping began in 1978.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has estimated that a total of 323,582 fall-run Chinook returned to the Klamath River in 2012, down from the pre-season forecast of 381,000.

“California anglers are looking forward to some excellent salmon fishing opportunities this season,” said Stafford Lehr, CDFW fisheries branch chief. “The ocean abundance and projected inland returns are good for both the Sacramento and Klamath River fall Chinook. The Klamath River fall Chinook ocean forecast is the third highest since 1985.”

The season for Klamath River in-river Chinook fishing will run from Aug. 15-Dec. 31. The Trinity River season will open Sept. 1 and close Dec. 31.Klamath and Trinity daily bag limits will be three adult Chinook 22 inches or longer and one Chinook jack less than 22 inches. The possession limit is nine adults and three jacks prior to reaching the quota. The FGC advises that all anglers must have salmon harvest cards in their possession when fishing for salmon on the Klamath and Trinity rivers.

The Sacramento River season will run from as early as July 16 and close as late as Dec. 16, though opening and closing dates vary in different sections of the river so be sure to consult the full regulations before fishing.

The full regulations package approved by the Commission will be available at www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/2013/index.aspx.

Opening day for ocean fishing in the Klamath Management Zone will be May 1. All other ocean fishing zones are currently open. Complete ocean salmon regulations are posted at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp.